Naruto: Aizen's Shadow in Konoha

In the forty-third year of Konoha, the ninja world stands on the brink of chaos.

The year marks a significant moment—seventeen years remain before the events of the Naruto series begin. Within five years, Naruto Uzumaki will be born. At the same time, the Third Ninja War looms on the horizon, its shadow darkening the lands.

The four Great Ninja Villages—Sand, Cloud, Rock, and Mist—are fully armed, awaiting the right moment to strike at Konoha. Sensing the shifting tides, Konoha prepares for the inevitable conflict.

While the surface of the ninja world seems calm, the undercurrents run deep, and tension brews in every corner.

In the Land of Wind, an unsettling event has shaken Sand Village to its core.

Sand Village, Lower-Level Meeting Room

In the solemn atmosphere of the conference room, Sand Village's senior leadership sits with heavy expressions. Presiding over the gathering is Chiyo.

After addressing preparations for the looming war, Chiyo turns to a red-haired young man on her left—Rasa, a disciple of the missing Third Kazekage and destined to become the Fourth Kazekage. Her tone is sharp and direct:

"Rasa, have you still not found any trace of the Third Kazekage's whereabouts?"

Months earlier, the Third Kazekage vanished on his way to the capital of the Land of Wind, leaving no trace. His disappearance has shaken the foundations of the village.

The vast deserts, riddled with endless sandstorms, are unforgiving. Even if two Kage-level powerhouses clashed there, no sign of their battle would remain. Despite their efforts, Sand Village's search parties have been unsuccessful in locating their missing leader.

With the Kazekage gone, Chiyo has assumed temporary leadership of the village. Yet, the search continues, with Rasa leading the effort.

Rasa's voice is steady, but his frustration is evident. "I've combed through the routes he traveled multiple times and expanded the search area to hundreds of miles. Still, there's no sign of the Kazekage."

A heavy silence falls over the room. Chiyo and the other elders exchange somber glances.

Deep down, they have already accepted the grim likelihood that their leader is dead. Yet, voicing such a truth would shatter the village's morale.

The stakes are high. As the Third Ninja War approaches, Sand Village cannot afford instability.

"Lady Chiyo," a senior council member speaks up, his tone anxious, "if word of the Third Kazekage's disappearance spreads, it will severely weaken our position. The other villages will see us as vulnerable."

Another elder adds, "In the short term, we could conceal his absence by appointing someone to act as a stand-in. But over time, the truth will surface. When it does, we risk losing everything."

The elders' concerns are valid. While the Land of Wind may appear barren and unappealing, its strategic importance cannot be underestimated. The Land of Earth, led by Rock Village, has long been known for its greed.

If they discover Sand Village's weakened state, their opportunism could prove disastrous.

However, compared to the prospect of attacking Konoha—a land rich in resources and strategic significance—Sand Village might seem like a secondary target.

Konoha Village, under pressure from all sides, might decide to preemptively strike at Sand Village to neutralize the threat from the southwest. 

That would spell disaster for Sand Village. 

Chiyo, cunning and experienced, was fully aware of this possibility. 

After deliberating for a while, she finally came up with a solution. 

"The disappearance of the Third Kazekage cannot remain hidden. Instead of keeping it secret, we should take the initiative to announce it," Chiyo declared, her sharp gaze cutting through the tense atmosphere. 

As soon as these words left her mouth, the gathered Sand Village elders and leaders erupted in surprise. 

"What?!"

"Isn't that as good as pushing Sand Village into the jaws of danger?"

"Lady Chiyo, what exactly do you hope to achieve with this?" 

Despite the uproar, Chiyo's reputation for wisdom and her years of service as a leader earned her the attention and eventual calm of the room. Slowly, the elders regained their composure and turned to hear her out. 

Chiyo's eyes gleamed with insight as she began to explain. 

"Everyone here knows that Konoha, having emerged victorious in two consecutive ninja wars, has long been a thorn in the side of all nations. In the next war, Konoha will undoubtedly be at the center of the storm. 

Currently, the major powers hesitate to act because no one wants to make the first move and risk exhaustion, preferring to act as opportunists to reap the benefits later. 

So, we declare war on Konoha, claiming that the Third Kazekage was assassinated by them. This will disrupt the delicate balance among the major powers. 

Once we act, other nations, hungry for the resources of the Land of Fire, will follow suit and declare war on Konoha. The fertile lands of the Land of Fire are far more enticing than our harsh desert. And when the dust settles, Sand Village will have claimed its share." 

Chiyo's voice was calm, but her words carried a chilling resolve. 

Her plan sent ripples of understanding through the senior leadership of Sand Village. A hushed awe filled the room as they processed her strategy. 

"Lady Chiyo, allow me to lead the first strike against Konoha. I will claim the land that will secure Sand Village's future!" Rasa, filled with ambition and still bitter over past defeats, stepped forward to volunteer. 

The rest of the Sand Village leaders followed suit, their faces alight with determination. 

This wasn't because they loved war. The allure of the fertile Land of Fire had captivated their imaginations. 

Even if the Third Kazekage hadn't disappeared, Sand Village was already on the path toward conflict with Konoha. Now, with a reason to act and the prospect of substantial gains, the die was cast. 

Under Chiyo's strategic guidance, Sand Village's forces mobilized. Leading the vanguard, Rasa and his troops crossed the Land of Rivers and quietly approached the border of the Land of Fire.